Synchronization signal block selection

ABSTRACT

Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for synchronization signal block selection. One method includes receiving multiple synchronization signal blocks on a first wideband carrier. Each synchronization signal block includes at least one synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel. The method includes detecting at least one synchronization signal block of the synchronization signal blocks, determining at least one synchronization signal frequency associated with the at least one detected synchronization signal block, and selecting a first synchronization signal block of the at least one detected synchronization signal block and a first synchronization signal frequency of the at least one synchronization signal frequency. The first synchronization signal block is associated with the first synchronization signal frequency. The method includes decoding a first physical broadcast channel of the first synchronization signal block, and determining whether to reselect the first synchronization signal block based on a result of decoding the first physical broadcast channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/709,109 filed on Mar. 30, 2022, which is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/917,563filed on Jun. 30, 2020, which claims priority to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/110,316 filed on Aug. 23, 2018, which claims priority toU.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/549,286 entitled “MEASUREMENT AND SSFREQUENCY SELECTION IN A WIDEBAND CARRIER” and filed on Aug. 23, 2017for Hyejung Jung, all of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to wirelesscommunications and more particularly relates to synchronization signalblock selection.

BACKGROUND

The following abbreviations are herewith defined, at least some of whichare referred to within the following description: Third GenerationPartnership Project (“3GPP”), Positive-Acknowledgment (“ACK”), BinaryPhase Shift Keying (“BPSK”), Base Station (“BS”), Bandwidth (“BW”),Bandwidth Part (“BWP”), Component Carrier (“CC”), Clear ChannelAssessment (“CCA”), Common Control Resource Set (“CORESET”), CyclicPrefix (“CP”), Cyclical Redundancy Check (“CRC”), Channel StateInformation (“CSI”), Common Search Space (“CSS”), Discrete FourierTransform Spread (“DFTS”), Downlink Control Information (“DCI”),Downlink (“DL”), Downlink Pilot Time Slot (“DwPTS”), Enhanced ClearChannel Assessment (“eCCA”), Enhanced Mobile Broadband (“eMBB”), EvolvedNode B (“eNB”), European Telecommunications Standards Institute(“ETSI”), Frame Based Equipment (“FBE”), Frequency Division Duplex(“FDD”), Frequency Division Multiplexing (“FDM”), Frequency DivisionMultiple Access (“FDMA”), Frequency Division Orthogonal Cover Code(“FD-OCC”), g Node B (“gNB”), Guard Period (“GP”), Hybrid AutomaticRepeat Request (“HARQ”), Internet-of-Things (“IoT”), Licensed AssistedAccess (“LAA”), Load Based Equipment (“LBE”), Listen-Before-Talk (“LBT”), Local Oscillator (“LO”), Long Term Evolution (“LTE”), LeastSignificant Bit (“LSB”), Multiple Access (“MA”), Modulation CodingScheme (“MCS”), Machine Type Communication (“MTC”), Multiple InputMultiple Output (“MIMO”), Multi User Shared Access (“MUSA”), Narrowband(“NB”), Negative-Acknowledgment (“NACK”) or (“NAK”), Next GenerationNode B (“gNB”), Network Entity (“NE”), Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access(“NOMA”), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (“OFDM”), PrimaryCell (“PCell”), Physical Broadcast Channel (“PBCH”), Physical DownlinkControl Channel (“PDCCH”), Physical Downlink Shared Channel (“PDSCH”),Pattern Division Multiple Access (“PDMA”), Physical Hybrid ARQ IndicatorChannel (“PHICH”), Physical Random Access Channel (“PRACH”), PhysicalResource Block (“PRB”), Primary Synchronization Signal (“PSS”), PhysicalUplink Control Channel (“PUCCH”), Physical Uplink Shared Channel(“PUSCH”), Quality of Service (“QoS”), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying(“QPSK”), Radio Resource Control (“RRC”), Random Access Channel(“RACH”), Random Access Response (“RAR”), Radio Network TemporaryIdentifier (“RNTI”), Reference Signal (“RS”), Remaining Minimum SystemInformation (“RMSI”), Radio Resource Management (“RRM”), ReferenceSignal Received Power (“RSRP”), Reference Signal Received Quality(“RSRQ”), Resource Spread Multiple Access (“RSMA”), Reference SignalSignal to Interference and Noise Ratio (“RS-SINK”), Round Trip Time(“RTT”), Receive (“RX”), Sparse Code Multiple Access (“SCMA”),Subcarrier Spacing (“SCS”), Scheduling Request (“SR”), Single CarrierFrequency Division Multiple Access (“SC-FDMA”), Secondary Cell(“SCell”), Shared Channel (“SCH”), System Frame Number (“SFN”),Signal-to-Interference-Plus-Noise Ratio (“SINR”), System InformationBlock (“SIB”), SS/PBCH Block Measurement Time Configuration (“SMTC”),Synchronization Signal (“SS”), Secondary Synchronization Signal (“SSS”),Transport Block (“TB”), Transport Block Size (“TB S”), Time-DivisionDuplex (“TDD”), Time Division Multiplex (“TDM”), Time DivisionOrthogonal Cover Code (“TD-OCC”), Transmit/Receive Point (“TRP”),Transmission Time Interval (“TTI”), Transmit (“TX”), Uplink ControlInformation (“UCI”), User Entity/Equipment (Mobile Terminal) (“UE”),Uplink (“UL”), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (“UMTS”),Uplink Pilot Time Slot (“UpPTS”), Ultra-reliability and Low-latencyCommunications (“URLLC”), and Worldwide Interoperability for MicrowaveAccess (“WiMAX”). As used herein, “HARQ-ACK” may represent collectivelythe Positive Acknowledge (“ACK”) and the Negative Acknowledge (“NACK”).ACK means that a TB is correctly received while NACK (or NAK) means a TBis erroneously received.

In certain wireless communications networks, synchronization signalblocks may be used. In such networks, a frequency corresponding to asynchronization signal block may be unknown.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Methods for synchronization signal block selection are disclosed.Apparatuses and systems also perform the functions of the method. In oneembodiment, the method includes receiving multiple synchronizationsignal blocks on a first wideband carrier. In such an embodiment, eachsynchronization signal block of the multiple synchronization signalblocks includes at least one synchronization signal and a physicalbroadcast channel. In certain embodiments, the method includes detectingat least one synchronization signal block of the multiplesynchronization signal blocks. In some embodiments, the method includesdetermining at least one synchronization signal frequency associatedwith the at least one detected synchronization signal block. In variousembodiments, the method includes selecting a first synchronizationsignal block of the at least one detected synchronization signal blockand a first synchronization signal frequency of the at least onesynchronization signal frequency. In such embodiments, the firstsynchronization signal block is associated with the firstsynchronization signal frequency. In certain embodiments, the methodincludes decoding a first physical broadcast channel of the firstsynchronization signal block. In some embodiments, the method includesdetermining whether to reselect the first synchronization signal blockbased on a result of decoding the first physical broadcast channel.

One apparatus for synchronization signal block selection includes areceiver that receives multiple synchronization signal blocks on a firstwideband carrier. In such an embodiment, each synchronization signalblock of the multiple synchronization signal blocks includes at leastone synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel. In certainembodiments, the apparatus includes a processor that: detects at leastone synchronization signal block of the multiple synchronization signalblocks; determines at least one synchronization signal frequencyassociated with the at least one detected synchronization signal block;selects a first synchronization signal block of the at least onedetected synchronization signal block and a first synchronization signalfrequency of the at least one synchronization signal frequency, whereinthe first synchronization signal block is associated with the firstsynchronization signal frequency; decodes a first physical broadcastchannel of the first synchronization signal block; and determineswhether to reselect the first synchronization signal block based on aresult of decoding the first physical broadcast channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more particular description of the embodiments briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only some embodiments and are not therefore to be considered tobe limiting of scope, the embodiments will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of awireless communication system for synchronization signal blockselection;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anapparatus that may perform synchronization signal block selection;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating another embodiment ofan apparatus that may be used for synchronization signal blockselection;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of adeployment of a system including a wideband component carrier withmultiple synchronization signal burst sets in frequency;

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram illustrating one embodiment of multiplesynchronization signal burst set transmissions in frequency for awideband component carrier;

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram illustrating another embodiment of multiplesynchronization signal burst set transmissions in frequency for awideband component carrier;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a methodfor synchronization signal block selection; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a methodthat may be used for synchronization signal block selection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of theembodiments may be embodied as a system, apparatus, method, or programproduct. Accordingly, embodiments may take the form of an entirelyhardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects that may all generally bereferred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore,embodiments may take the form of a program product embodied in one ormore computer readable storage devices storing machine readable code,computer readable code, and/or program code, referred hereafter as code.The storage devices may be tangible, non-transitory, and/ornon-transmission. The storage devices may not embody signals. In acertain embodiment, the storage devices only employ signals foraccessing code.

Certain of the functional units described in this specification may belabeled as modules, in order to more particularly emphasize theirimplementation independence. For example, a module may be implemented asa hardware circuit comprising custom very-large-scale integration(“VLSI”) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such aslogic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A module mayalso be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as fieldprogrammable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logicdevices or the like.

Modules may also be implemented in code and/or software for execution byvarious types of processors. An identified module of code may, forinstance, include one or more physical or logical blocks of executablecode which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, orfunction. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified module need notbe physically located together, but may include disparate instructionsstored in different locations which, when joined logically together,include the module and achieve the stated purpose for the module.

Indeed, a module of code may be a single instruction, or manyinstructions, and may even be distributed over several different codesegments, among different programs, and across several memory devices.Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated hereinwithin modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organizedwithin any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may becollected as a single data set, or may be distributed over differentlocations including over different computer readable storage devices.Where a module or portions of a module are implemented in software, thesoftware portions are stored on one or more computer readable storagedevices.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium may be utilized.The computer readable medium may be a computer readable storage medium.The computer readable storage medium may be a storage device storing thecode. The storage device may be, for example, but not limited to, anelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, holographic,micromechanical, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing.

More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the storage devicewould include the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory(“RAM”), a read-only memory (“ROM”), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (“EPROM” or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-onlymemory (“CD-ROM”), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device,or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of thisdocument, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible mediumthat can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Code for carrying out operations for embodiments may be any number oflines and may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages including an object oriented programming language such asPython, Ruby, Java, Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and conventionalprocedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language,or the like, and/or machine languages such as assembly languages. Thecode may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user'scomputer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user'scomputer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remotecomputer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may beconnected to the user's computer through any type of network, includinga local area network (“LAN”) or a wide area network (“WAN”), or theconnection may be made to an external computer (for example, through theInternet using an Internet Service Provider).

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughoutthis specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the sameembodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unlessexpressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,”“having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to,”unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of itemsdoes not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive,unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the”also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. In the followingdescription, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples ofprogramming, software modules, user selections, network transactions,database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardwarecircuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding ofembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however,that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of anembodiment.

Aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference toschematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams of methods,apparatuses, systems, and program products according to embodiments. Itwill be understood that each block of the schematic flowchart diagramsand/or schematic block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theschematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams, can beimplemented by code. The code may be provided to a processor of ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such thatthe instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer orother programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the schematic flowchartdiagrams and/or schematic block diagrams block or blocks.

The code may also be stored in a storage device that can direct acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devicesto function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored inthe storage device produce an article of manufacture includinginstructions which implement the function/act specified in the schematicflowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams block or blocks.

The code may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operationalsteps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus orother devices to produce a computer implemented process such that thecode which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatusprovide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in theflowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams in theFigures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation ofpossible implementations of apparatuses, systems, methods and programproducts according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block inthe schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams mayrepresent a module, segment, or portion of code, which includes one ormore executable instructions of the code for implementing the specifiedlogical function(s).

It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, thefunctions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in theFigures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, beexecuted substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionalityinvolved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalentin function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or portionsthereof, of the illustrated Figures.

Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in theflowchart and/or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit thescope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or otherconnectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depictedembodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoringperiod of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depictedembodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagramsand/or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the blockdiagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by specialpurpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions oracts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and code.

The description of elements in each figure may refer to elements ofproceeding figures. Like numbers refer to like elements in all figures,including alternate embodiments of like elements.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a wireless communication system 100 forsynchronization signal block selection. In one embodiment, the wirelesscommunication system 100 includes remote units 102 and network units104. Even though a specific number of remote units 102 and network units104 are depicted in FIG. 1 , one of skill in the art will recognize thatany number of remote units 102 and network units 104 may be included inthe wireless communication system 100.

In one embodiment, the remote units 102 may include computing devices,such as desktop computers, laptop computers, personal digital assistants(“PDAs”), tablet computers, smart phones, smart televisions (e.g.,televisions connected to the Internet), set-top boxes, game consoles,security systems (including security cameras), vehicle on-boardcomputers, network devices (e.g., routers, switches, modems), aerialvehicles, drones, or the like. In some embodiments, the remote units 102include wearable devices, such as smart watches, fitness bands, opticalhead-mounted displays, or the like. Moreover, the remote units 102 maybe referred to as subscriber units, mobiles, mobile stations, users,terminals, mobile terminals, fixed terminals, subscriber stations, UE,user terminals, a device, or by other terminology used in the art. Theremote units 102 may communicate directly with one or more of thenetwork units 104 via UL communication signals.

The network units 104 may be distributed over a geographic region. Incertain embodiments, a network unit 104 may also be referred to as anaccess point, an access terminal, a base, a base station, a Node-B, aneNB, a gNB, a Home Node-B, a relay node, a device, a core network, anaerial server, or by any other terminology used in the art. The networkunits 104 are generally part of a radio access network that includes oneor more controllers communicably coupled to one or more correspondingnetwork units 104. The radio access network is generally communicablycoupled to one or more core networks, which may be coupled to othernetworks, like the Internet and public switched telephone networks,among other networks. These and other elements of radio access and corenetworks are not illustrated but are well known generally by thosehaving ordinary skill in the art.

In one implementation, the wireless communication system 100 iscompliant with the 3GPP protocol, wherein the network unit 104 transmitsusing an OFDM modulation scheme on the DL and the remote units 102transmit on the UL using a SC-FDMA scheme or an OFDM scheme. Moregenerally, however, the wireless communication system 100 may implementsome other open or proprietary communication protocol, for example,WiMAX, among other protocols. The present disclosure is not intended tobe limited to the implementation of any particular wirelesscommunication system architecture or protocol.

The network units 104 may serve a number of remote units 102 within aserving area, for example, a cell or a cell sector via a wirelesscommunication link. The network units 104 transmit DL communicationsignals to serve the remote units 102 in the time, frequency, and/orspatial domain.

In one embodiment, a remote unit 102 may receive multiplesynchronization signal blocks on a first wideband carrier. In such anembodiment, each synchronization signal block of the multiplesynchronization signal blocks may include at least one synchronizationsignal and a physical broadcast channel. In certain embodiments, theremote unit 102 may detect at least one synchronization signal block ofthe multiple synchronization signal blocks. In some embodiments, theremote unit 102 may determine at least one synchronization signalfrequency associated with the at least one detected synchronizationsignal block. In various embodiments, the remote unit 102 may select afirst synchronization signal block of the at least one detectedsynchronization signal block and a first synchronization signalfrequency of the at least one synchronization signal frequency. In suchembodiments, the first synchronization signal block is associated withthe first synchronization signal frequency. In certain embodiments, theremote unit 102 may decode a first physical broadcast channel of thefirst synchronization signal block. In some embodiments, the remote unit102 may determine whether to reselect the first synchronization signalblock based on a result of decoding the first physical broadcastchannel. Accordingly, the remote unit 102 may perform synchronizationsignal block selection.

In various embodiments, a network unit 104 may transmit multiplesynchronization signal blocks on a first wideband carrier. In such anembodiment, each synchronization signal block of the multiplesynchronization signal blocks includes at least one synchronizationsignal and a physical broadcast channel. In certain embodiments, thenetwork unit 104 may establish a radio resource control connection witha remote unit 102. In such embodiments, the remote unit 102 may detectat least one synchronization signal block of the multiplesynchronization signal blocks; determine at least one synchronizationsignal frequency associated with the at least one detectedsynchronization signal block; select a first synchronization signalblock of the at least one detected synchronization signal block and afirst synchronization signal frequency of the at least onesynchronization signal frequency, wherein the first synchronizationsignal block is associated with the first synchronization signalfrequency; decode a first physical broadcast channel of the firstsynchronization signal block; and determine whether to reselect thefirst synchronization signal block based on a result of decoding thefirst physical broadcast channel. Accordingly, the network unit 104 maybe used for synchronization signal block selection.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of an apparatus 200 that may performsynchronization signal block selection. The apparatus 200 includes oneembodiment of the remote unit 102. Furthermore, the remote unit 102 mayinclude a processor 202, a memory 204, an input device 206, a display208, a transmitter 210, and a receiver 212. In some embodiments, theinput device 206 and the display 208 are combined into a single device,such as a touchscreen. In certain embodiments, the remote unit 102 maynot include any input device 206 and/or display 208. In variousembodiments, the remote unit 102 may include one or more of theprocessor 202, the memory 204, the transmitter 210, and the receiver212, and may not include the input device 206 and/or the display 208.

The processor 202, in one embodiment, may include any known controllercapable of executing computer-readable instructions and/or capable ofperforming logical operations. For example, the processor 202 may be amicrocontroller, a microprocessor, a central processing unit (“CPU”), agraphics processing unit (“GPU”), an auxiliary processing unit, a fieldprogrammable gate array (“FPGA”), or similar programmable controller. Insome embodiments, the processor 202 executes instructions stored in thememory 204 to perform the methods and routines described herein. Invarious embodiments, the processor 202 may: detects at least onesynchronization signal block of the multiple synchronization signalblocks; determine at least one synchronization signal frequencyassociated with the at least one detected synchronization signal block;select a first synchronization signal block of the at least one detectedsynchronization signal block and a first synchronization signalfrequency of the at least one synchronization signal frequency, whereinthe first synchronization signal block is associated with the firstsynchronization signal frequency; decode a first physical broadcastchannel of the first synchronization signal block; and determine whetherto reselect the first synchronization signal block based on a result ofdecoding the first physical broadcast channel. The processor 202 iscommunicatively coupled to the memory 204, the input device 206, thedisplay 208, the transmitter 210, and the receiver 212.

The memory 204, in one embodiment, is a computer readable storagemedium. In some embodiments, the memory 204 includes volatile computerstorage media. For example, the memory 204 may include a RAM, includingdynamic RAM (“DRAM”), synchronous dynamic RAM (“SDRAM”), and/or staticRAM (“SRAM”). In some embodiments, the memory 204 includes non-volatilecomputer storage media. For example, the memory 204 may include a harddisk drive, a flash memory, or any other suitable non-volatile computerstorage device. In some embodiments, the memory 204 includes bothvolatile and non-volatile computer storage media. In some embodiments,the memory 204 also stores program code and related data, such as anoperating system or other controller algorithms operating on the remoteunit 102.

The input device 206, in one embodiment, may include any known computerinput device including a touch panel, a button, a keyboard, a stylus, amicrophone, or the like. In some embodiments, the input device 206 maybe integrated with the display 208, for example, as a touchscreen orsimilar touch-sensitive display. In some embodiments, the input device206 includes a touchscreen such that text may be input using a virtualkeyboard displayed on the touchscreen and/or by handwriting on thetouchscreen. In some embodiments, the input device 206 includes two ormore different devices, such as a keyboard and a touch panel.

The display 208, in one embodiment, may include any known electronicallycontrollable display or display device. The display 208 may be designedto output visual, audible, and/or haptic signals. In some embodiments,the display 208 includes an electronic display capable of outputtingvisual data to a user. For example, the display 208 may include, but isnot limited to, an LCD display, an LED display, an OLED display, aprojector, or similar display device capable of outputting images, text,or the like to a user. As another, non-limiting, example, the display208 may include a wearable display such as a smart watch, smart glasses,a heads-up display, or the like. Further, the display 208 may be acomponent of a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a television,a table computer, a notebook (laptop) computer, a personal computer, avehicle dashboard, or the like.

In certain embodiments, the display 208 includes one or more speakersfor producing sound. For example, the display 208 may produce an audiblealert or notification (e.g., a beep or chime). In some embodiments, thedisplay 208 includes one or more haptic devices for producingvibrations, motion, or other haptic feedback. In some embodiments, allor portions of the display 208 may be integrated with the input device206. For example, the input device 206 and display 208 may form atouchscreen or similar touch-sensitive display. In other embodiments,the display 208 may be located near the input device 206.

The transmitter 210 is used to provide UL communication signals to thenetwork unit 104 and the receiver 212 is used to receive DLcommunication signals from the network unit 104, as described herein. Insome embodiments, the receiver 212 may be used to receive multiplesynchronization signal blocks on a first wideband carrier. In suchembodiments, each synchronization signal block of the multiplesynchronization signal blocks includes at least one synchronizationsignal and a physical broadcast channel. Although only one transmitter210 and one receiver 212 are illustrated, the remote unit 102 may haveany suitable number of transmitters 210 and receivers 212. Thetransmitter 210 and the receiver 212 may be any suitable type oftransmitters and receivers. In one embodiment, the transmitter 210 andthe receiver 212 may be part of a transceiver.

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of an apparatus 300 that may be used forsynchronization signal block selection. The apparatus 300 includes oneembodiment of the network unit 104. Furthermore, the network unit 104may include a processor 302, a memory 304, an input device 306, adisplay 308, a transmitter 310, and a receiver 312. As may beappreciated, the processor 302, the memory 304, the input device 306,the display 308, the transmitter 310, and the receiver 312 may besubstantially similar to the processor 202, the memory 204, the inputdevice 206, the display 208, the transmitter 210, and the receiver 212of the remote unit 102, respectively.

Although only one transmitter 310 and one receiver 312 are illustrated,the network unit 104 may have any suitable number of transmitters 310and receivers 312. The transmitter 310 and the receiver 312 may be anysuitable type of transmitters and receivers. In one embodiment, thetransmitter 310 and the receiver 312 may be part of a transceiver.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of adeployment of a system 400 including a wideband component carrier withmultiple synchronization signal burst sets in frequency.

The system 400 includes a first cell 402 and a second cell 404. Asillustrated, the first cell 402 and the second cell 404 may overlap oneanother. The first cell 402 includes a first SS burst set 406, a secondSS burst set 408, a third SS burst set 410, and a deactivated TRP 412.As may be appreciated, any of the first SS burst set 406, the second SSburst set 408, and the third SS burst set 410 may include multiplenodes. The second cell 404 includes a fourth SS burst set 414, a fifthSS burst set 416, a sixth SS burst set 418, and a seventh SS burst set420. Again, any of the fourth SS burst set 414, the fifth SS burst set416, the sixth SS burst set 418, and the seventh SS burst set 420 mayinclude multiple nodes.

In various embodiments, a BWP having a group of contiguous PRBs may beused to support reduced UE BW capability, UE BW adaptation, FDM ofmultiple numerologies, and/or use of a non-contiguous spectrum. In someembodiments, a connected mode UE may be UE-specifically and/orsemi-statically configured with one or more active BWPs for a singlewideband carrier. In certain embodiments, a bandwidth of a BWP equals oris smaller than a maximum UE bandwidth capability, but may be at leastas large as a bandwidth of an SS block. In such embodiments, the SSblock may include primary SS, secondary SS, and/or PBCH. In variousembodiments, different UEs' BWPs may fully overlap or may partiallyoverlap. In such embodiments, it may be up to a NE (e.g., gNB) tocoordinate scheduling of different UEs' BWPs. As may be appreciated,configuration parameters of a BWP may include numerology (e.g.,subcarrier spacing), a frequency location (e.g., center frequency),and/or a bandwidth (e.g., a number of PRBs). In some embodiments, theBWP may contain an SS block, while in other embodiments, the BWP may notcontain an SS block.

In certain embodiments, multiple SS burst set transmissions (e.g., an SSburst set may be a set of one or more SS blocks transmittedperiodically) in frequency may make a gNB able to more easily configurea UE. The UE may have a smaller operating bandwidth than a carrierbandwidth. The gNB may configure the UE with a BWP including one or moreSS blocks and may allow the UE to detect and/or measure the one or moreSS blocks without LO retuning. In various embodiments, transmittingmultiple SS burst sets on different SS raster frequencies of a widebandcarrier may distribute UEs in idle or inactive mode across different SSburst sets and different common search spaces, thereby potentiallyreducing paging and/or random access related (e.g., message 2) load ineach common search space.

Described herein are various methods that may be used by a UE toefficiently measure multiple SS burst sets in frequency of a wideband CCand/or select one SS burst set of the wideband CC.

In one embodiment, multiple SS burst sets in frequency are transmittedon SS raster frequencies in a wideband carrier. In such embodiments, ifmultiple SS burst sets transmitted in frequency are associated with asingle wideband CC (e.g., a single scheduling entity capable ofaddressing any frequency part of the wideband CC), the same PSS/SSSsequences may be employed for those SS burst sets to implicitly indicateto a UE an association of those SS burst sets. In some embodiments, todifferentiate multiple SS burst sets in frequency of a wideband CC, afew bits may be used to indicate indices of frequency-domain SS burstsets and may be included as payload of PBCH or RMSI. In suchembodiments, these indices may be used to construct extended physicalcell IDs (e.g., in addition to a physical cell ID mapped to PSS/SSSsequences of the SS block) addressing multiple logical cells of awideband CC. Moreover, in such embodiments, each logical cell mayschedule any part of the wideband CC and may be associated with one SSburst set in frequency of the wideband CC. In certain embodiments, apayload of PBCH or RMSI may include an indication of a frequencyseparation and/or offset of a frequency-domain SS burst sets from areference point (e.g., a center and/or edge of the wideband CC orreference SS raster frequency that may correspond to approximately thecenter and/or edge of the wideband CC or reference frequency-domain SSburst location and/or position) in terms of multiple SS raster steps orPRBs with subcarrier spacing equal to SS subcarrier spacing. In variousembodiments, an extended cell ID may be determined based on a frequencyseparation and/or offset indication (e.g., in addition to a cell IDmapped to PSS/SSS sequences of an SS block). In some embodiments, afrequency-domain SS burst set index may be determined based on afrequency separation and/or offset indication (e.g., index 0 forreference frequency-domain SS burst set). In certain embodiments,another way to differentiate multiple SS burst sets in frequency of awideband CC is to use different PSS/SSS sequences (e.g., using differentphysical cell IDs) on different SS blocks in different frequencies.

In various embodiments, UEs operated with a narrowband transceiver maybe able to use only some frequency parts within a wideband CC at a giventime. Thus, a number of SS burst sets in frequency for the wideband CCmay need to be large enough to distribute narrowband UEs across multiplefrequency parts of the wideband CC. In such embodiments, signalingoverhead in PBCH and radio resource overhead from multiple SS burst settransmissions in frequency may be taken into account. In one example,assuming a 400 MHz or 800 MHz carrier bandwidth and 100 MHz minimum UEbandwidth in high frequency bands (e.g., frequency band above 6 GHz), amaximum of approximately 4 to 8 SS block transmissions in frequency maybe used (e.g., up to approximately 4 to 8 SS burst sets in frequencywith approximately 2 to 3 bits for an indication in PBCH or RMSI).

In some embodiments, if multiple SS burst sets in frequency associatedwith a wideband CC are transmitted in SS raster frequencies, eachfrequency part within the wideband CC having a SS burst set may beself-discoverable. In certain embodiments, an idle mode UE may camp onone SS burst set in frequency of the wideband CC. In such embodiments,the UE may camp on the SS burst set as long as a PBCH and/or an RMSI ofthe SS burst set indicates that a logical cell associated with the SSburst set is not barred for the UE to camp on it. In certainembodiments, not only connected mode UEs (e.g., which may be informed ofspecific frequency locations of multiple SS burst sets of the widebandCC), but also idle mode or initial access UEs which are not informed ofspecific frequency locations of multiple SS burst sets of the widebandCC may be able to combine multiple PSS/SSS sequence correlation outputsobtained from the different SS raster frequency locations (e.g.,combining is up to UE implementation and may be when UE bandwidth spansmultiple SS raster frequency locations with SS burst and SS burst on themultiple SS raster frequency locations are transmitted at the same timeor overlapping time instances) and/or reduce cell detection latency.

In another embodiment, each SS burst set of multiple SS burst sets infrequency for a wideband CC may have a separate configuration in termsof SS burst set periodicity, a number of SS blocks per SS burst set(e.g., number of downlink transmit beams per SS burst set), SS transmitpower, and/or SS block time locations (e.g., actually transmitted)within an SS burst set. In some embodiments, multiple SS burst sets fora wideband CC may be transmitted from the same or from different (e.g.,synchronized and coordinated) network nodes or TRPs depending ondeployment scenarios as shown in FIG. 4 , and accordingly separateconfiguration for each SS burst set of the wideband CC may be used.Furthermore, in certain embodiments, corresponding RMSI contentsincluding configurations of SS burst set and RACH may be different perSS burst set in frequency. In such embodiments, the RMSI may beremaining essential system information not carried by PBCH.

In some embodiments, depending on user distribution or cell loadingconditions, some logical cells of a wideband CC may be used less or notused for a given time duration. In such embodiments, SS burst sets forthose logical cells may be transmitted with longer periodicity. Also, insuch embodiments, different network nodes for the wideband CC may have adifferent number of antenna groups and/or belong to different BS powerclasses, leading to different number of TX beams and/or different SStransmit power. In certain embodiments, for SS block time locations,some coordination may be used across frequency parts to avoid DL and/orUL interference. For example, if all logical cells of the wideband CCare co-located at a node (e.g., one node transmits multiple SS burstsets in frequency) and the node does not have full-duplex (e.g.,simultaneous transmission and reception within a same or adjacentfrequency parts) capability, the node may coordinate time locations oftransmitted SS blocks of the multiple SS burst sets to have common DLand/or UL regions across the frequency parts. In certain embodiments, itmay be desired to define a separate configuration signaling for each SSburst set, in order to accommodate various deployment scenarios.

In one embodiment, an idle and/or inactive mode UE or initial access UEwith a narrowband receiver may select an SS burst set in frequency and acorresponding logical cell. The UE may select the SS burst set infrequency and the corresponding logical cell based on RRM measurementsand frequency location and/or bandwidth of a CORESET associated with adetected and selected SS block of the SS burst set. In certainembodiments, a common CORESET may be used to at least to schedule PDSCHcarrying RMSI. In such embodiments, the RMSI may be associated with theSS burst set. For example, in one embodiment, a UE selects one SS burstset in frequency among SS burst sets for which RSRP, RSRQ, and/orRS-SINR measurement results are above threshold values and transmissionsof the SS burst set, the CORESET for RMSI scheduling, and/or PDSCH forRMSI delivery are confined within UE's operating BW. In certainembodiments, PBCH in a detected and/or selected SS block may indicatetime and/or frequency location of the common CORESET. Additionally, invarious embodiments, if PBCH indicates SCS of a common CORESET, a UE mayselect an SS burst set in frequency which indicates UE's supportedand/or preferred SCS for the common CORESET (and possibly UE specificCORESET, which may use the same SCS as the common CORESET).

In another embodiment, a NE may signal RSRP, RSRQ, and/or RS-SINR offsetvalues (e.g., for different frequency-domain SS burst sets) which a UEmay apply to rank SS burst sets in frequency in RMSI. In certainembodiments, RMSI of each SS burst set in frequency may include SSfrequency-specific RSRP, RSRQ, and/or RS-SINR offset values for all theSS frequencies of the wideband CC so that the UE may re-select a servingSS frequency (e.g., a serving SS burst set in frequency) within thewideband CC without decoding RMSI of other SS burst sets in frequency.In some embodiments, RSRP, RSRQ, and/or RS-SINR offset may be used for aNE to manage loads across multiple SS burst sets in frequency.

In certain embodiments, an SS burst set index in frequency mayimplicitly indicate priority of each SS burst set and a correspondinglogical cell. For example, a frequency-domain SS burst set with an index‘0’ may have a highest priority and logical cell selection priority maydecrease with an increase of the frequency-domain SS burst set indexnumber. In some embodiments, among suitable SS burst sets in frequency(e.g., the SS burst sets for which RSRP, RSRQ, and/or RS-SINRmeasurement results are above threshold values), a UE may select an SSburst set in frequency with a highest priority. In one example, an idlemode UE may generally camp on a frequency-domain SS burst set indexedwith 0 (e.g., binary bits ‘00’).

In various embodiments, a UE may select an SS burst set in frequencywhich has a largest number of suitable SS blocks (e.g., a number of SSblocks for which the measurement values are above threshold values). Insome embodiments, a narrowband UE may select an SS burst set infrequency which has a shortest SS burst set periodicity among suitableSS burst sets in frequency.

In one embodiment, a network node configures a UE with a few (e.g.,approximately 1 to 2) SMTCs per wideband CC. In such an embodiment, eachSMTC may include indications on measurement window periodicity,measurement window duration, measurement window time offset, a subset ofSS frequencies of the wideband CC, and/or SS frequency specificadditional time offsets for the subset of SS frequencies of the widebandCC. As used herein, SS frequencies of the wideband CC may be frequenciesin which multiple SS burst sets in frequency are transmitted. In oneexample, all the SS frequencies of the wideband CC are SS rasterfrequencies in a given frequency band. In such an example, the SS rasterfrequencies in the given frequency band are a set of frequencies that aninitial access UE may scan in the given frequency band for cell search.In another example, some SS frequencies of the wideband CC are SS rasterfrequencies of the given frequency band, and other SS frequencies of thewideband CC are not SS raster frequencies.

In certain embodiments, if multiple SS burst sets of a wideband CCprovide different spatial coverages, a UE connected to the wideband CC(e.g., served by one logical cell of the wideband CC) may have tofrequently measure SS frequencies which are different from a currentserving SS frequency but part of SS frequencies of the wideband CC. Asmay be appreciated, because multiple SS burst sets of a wideband CC maybe transmitted from a single node or synchronized (and coordinated)multiple nodes, an allowed set of SS block time locations is common(e.g., in terms of absolute time) for the multiple SS burst sets. Invarious embodiments, UEs with wideband receiver capability may be ableto measure multiple SS frequencies, such as in embodiments in which themultiple SS burst sets are transmitted simultaneously. In someembodiments, UEs operated with narrowband receivers may be able tomeasure only one (or a subset of) SS frequency at a given time. In suchembodiments, it may take much longer time for the narrowband UEs toperform SS block based measurements on all the SS frequencies of thewideband CC than for wideband UEs.

FIG. 5 is a timing diagram 500 illustrating one embodiment of multiplesynchronization signal burst set transmissions in frequency for awideband component carrier. The timing diagram 500 illustrates 240 kHzSCS for an SS block. Furthermore, the timing diagram 500 illustrates afirst SS frequency 502, a second SS frequency 504, a third SS frequency506, and a fourth SS frequency 508. On the first SS frequency 502, afirst SS burst set 510 is transmitted at a first time 512. Moreover,following the first SS burst set 510 and on the second SS frequency 504,a second SS burst set 514 is transmitted to end at a second time 516. Afirst period 518 between the first time 512 and the second time 516 maybe approximately 5 ms. On the third SS frequency 506, a third SS burstset 520 is transmitted at a third time 522. A second period 524 betweenthe second time 516 and the third time 522 may be approximately 5 ms.Moreover, following the third SS burst set 520 and on the fourth SSfrequency 508, a fourth SS burst set 526 is transmitted to end at afourth time 528. A third period 530 between the third time 522 and thefourth time 528 may be approximately 5 ms. On the first SS frequency502, a fifth SS burst set 532 (e.g., a repeat of the first SS burst set510) is transmitted at a fifth time 534. A fourth period 536 between thefourth time 528 and the fifth time 534 may be approximately 5 ms.Moreover, following the fifth SS burst set 532 and on the second SSfrequency 504, a sixth SS burst set 538 (e.g., a repeat of the second SSburst set 514) is transmitted to end at a sixth time 540. A fifth period542 between the fifth time 534 and the sixth time 540 may beapproximately 5 ms. As may be appreciated, the first SS burst set 510,the second SS burst set 514, the third SS burst set 520, and the fourthSS burst set 526 may continue to repeat any suitable number of times.

FIG. 6 is a timing diagram 600 illustrating another embodiment ofmultiple synchronization signal burst set transmissions in frequency fora wideband component carrier. The timing diagram 600 illustrates 120 kHzSCS for an SS block. Furthermore, the timing diagram 600 illustrates afirst SS frequency 602, a second SS frequency 604, a third SS frequency606, and a fourth SS frequency 608. On the first SS frequency 602, afirst SS burst set 610 is transmitted at a first time 612. Moreover, atapproximately the same time as the first SS burst set 610 and on thesecond SS frequency 604, a second SS burst set 614 is transmitted. Thefirst SS burst set 610 and the second SS burst set 614 end atapproximately a second time 616. A first period 618 between the firsttime 612 and the second time 616 may be approximately 5 ms. On the thirdSS frequency 606, a third SS burst set 620 is transmitted at a thirdtime 622. A second period 624 between the second time 616 and the thirdtime 622 may be approximately 5 ms. Moreover, at approximately the sametime as the third SS burst set 620 and on the fourth SS frequency 608, afourth SS burst set 626 is transmitted. The third SS burst set 620 andthe fourth SS burst set 622 end at approximately a fourth time 628. Athird period 630 between the third time 622 and the fourth time 628 maybe approximately 5 ms. On the first SS frequency 602, a fifth SS burstset 632 (e.g., a repeat of the first burst set 610) is transmitted at afifth time 634. A fourth period 636 between the fourth time 628 and thefifth time 634 may be approximately 5 ms. Moreover, at approximately thesame time as the fifth SS burst set 632 and on the second SS frequency604, a sixth SS burst set 638 (e.g., a repeat of the second burst set614) is transmitted. The fifth SS burst set 632 and the sixth SS burstset 638 end at approximately a sixth time 640. A fifth period 642between the fifth time 634 and the sixth time 640 may be approximately 5ms. As may be appreciated, the first SS burst set 610, the second SSburst set 614, the third SS burst set 620, and the fourth SS burst set626 may continue to repeat any suitable number of times.

In some embodiments, if a NE applies slot-level or sub-frame-level SSfrequency specific time offsets (with respect to a set of SS block timelocations predefined per frequency band or with respect to a referenceset of SS block time locations which is used by a “reference SS burstset” in frequency, e.g., frequency-domain SS burst set indexed with 0,or SS burst set transmitted on a SS raster frequency) to transmit the SSburst sets on the different SS frequencies of the wideband CC, thenarrowband UEs can also measure all the SS frequencies more quickly,especially for the SS burst sets with longer periodicities (e.g., 20 msor longer). In various embodiments, time offset values may be predefineddepending on SCS of an SS block and/or periodicity of an SS burst set,and PBCH and/or RMSI may indicate an exact timing offset applied to eachSS burst set. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , time offset values {0 ms(for the first SS burst set 510), 2.5 ms (for the second SS burst set514), 10 ms (for the third SS burst set 520), 12.5 ms (for the fourth SSburst set 526)} are allowed for SS block of 240 kHz SCS and SS burst setperiodicity of 20 ms or longer. For 240 kHz SCS, the time offset values{0, 2.5, 10, 12.5} ms correspond to {0, 40, 160, 200} slots. As anotherexample, as shown in FIG. 6 , time offset values {0 ms (for the first SSburst set 610), 0 ms (for the second SS burst set 614), 10 ms (for thethird SS burst set 620), 10 ms (for the fourth SS burst set 626)} areallowed for SS block of 120 kHz SCS and SS burst set periodicity of 20ms or longer. Alternatively, in certain embodiments, SS frequencyspecific time offset values applied and SS burst set periodicities maybe indicated in respective RMSI for each SS burst set in frequency. Inembodiments in which the NE transmits multiple SS burst sets infrequency with the same set of downlink TX beams, narrowband UEs may notneed to perform frequent measurements on non-serving SS frequencies ofthe wideband CC, and SS frequency specific time offset values may be setto zero for all the SS burst set in frequencies of the wideband CC.

In some embodiments, a connected mode UE may be configured with aseparate SMTC per SS frequency of serving or non-serving wideband CCincluding separate measurement window periodicity, duration, and/oroffset information. However, this may cause high signaling overhead formeasurement configuration and may lead to too frequent measurement gapsfor the narrowband UEs. Instead, in certain embodiments, a connectedmode UE may receive a few SMTCs per wideband CC, each of which mayinclude measurement window periodicity, duration, offset, associated SSfrequencies of the wideband CC, and/or SS frequency specific additionaltime offsets for the associated SS frequencies.

In various embodiments, if a connected mode UE is configured with asingle BWP SCS which is different from a SCS of SS blocks (that may bepredefined for a corresponding frequency band), SS blocks may not betransmitted on that BWP, but may be transmitted on another BWPconfigured with an SCS the same as the SCS of the SS block. In suchembodiments, the UE may have to retune its LO and adjust subcarrierspacing (and potentially sampling rate) for SS block based measurements.However, frequent LO retuning for intra-frequency measurement andtime/frequency tracking may be avoided if a gNB configures the UE withCSI-RS based L3 measurement and tracking reference signal.

In some embodiments, if all frequency parts within a wideband carrieradopt an SCS (e.g., 120 kHz) different from an SCS (e.g., 240 kHz) of SSblocks, the SS blocks of one SS burst set of the wideband carrier may betime-multiplexed or time/frequency-multiplexed with data and controlchannels of the different SCS (e.g., 120 kHz) within a frequency part.In certain embodiments, if a UE is configured with at least one BWPincluding SS blocks, the UE may not need to retune LO, but may adjustoperational subcarrier spacing (and potentially sampling rate) for SSblock based measurements. In such embodiments, during SS blockmeasurement the UE may not be able to receive data and control channelsunless the UE supports simultaneous operation of two subcarrierspacings.

In various embodiments, in NR, an SS block time index within an SS burstset may be indicated based on a PBCH-DMRS sequence index (e.g., 3 bitsfor 8 possible PBCH DM-RS sequences) for low frequency bands (e.g.,below 6 GHz). In such embodiments, for high frequency bands (e.g., above6 GHz), in addition to the PBCH-DMRS sequence index, additional bits(e.g., 3 additional bits) for an SS block time index (e.g., 6 bits) maybe indicated in the PBCH to support more than 8 SS blocks. In someembodiments, SS block time locations in an SS burst set may be indexedfrom 0 to L−1 in increasing order within a half radio frame. Forembodiments in which L=8 or L=64, 3 LSBs of an SS block time index areindicated by 8 different PBCH-DMRS sequences {a_0, . . . , a_7}. Forembodiments in which L=4, 2 LSBs of SS block time index may be indicatedby 4 different PBCH-DMRS sequences {b_0, b_3} with the one remaining bitout of 3 LSBs set to 0 and not transmitted by PBCH. In variousembodiments, {a_0, . . . , a_3} may be the same as {b_0, b_3} for agiven cell ID indicated by PSS/SSS.

In certain embodiments, to reduce handover delay and/or latency forhandover, direct SFN reading from a target cell (at handover) may not berequired for a UE. In some embodiments, while performing handoff, theremay be no need for UEs to read PBCH in a target cell to obtain a SFNmessage before sending PRACH. In such embodiments, because a SFN inincluded in PBCH, and to support PRACH resource periodicity of largerthan 10 ms (e.g., 20 ms), SFN even/odd synchronization between a servingcell and a target cell may be used. Thus, the UE may for handoverpurposes assume an absolute value of a relative time difference betweenradio frame i in the current serving cell and the target cell to be lessthan 5 ms (e.g., half of a 10 ms radio frame). In addition, half radioframe timing may be indicated in the PBCH which may be irrespective ofSS burst set periodicity. This may be needed for an SS burst setperiodicity of 5 ms. Thus, in some embodiments, to support a UE notrequired to read PBCH in a target cell to obtain half radio frame timingand a SFN message before sending PRACH (e.g., PRACH resource periodicityof 10 ms or larger), half radio frame even/odd synchronization (inaddition to SFN even/odd synchronization) between a serving cell and atarget cell may be used. In such embodiments, the UE may for handoverpurposes assume an absolute value of the relative time differencebetween radio frame i in the current serving cell and the target cell tobe less than 2.5 ms (e.g., half of a 5 ms half radio frame).

In various embodiments, detecting an SS block in an SS burst set may notprovide adequate information for determining a slot index within whichthe SS block is detected. This may occur when a portion of the SS blocktime index is indicated in the PBCH (e.g., number of SS blocks more than8 SS blocks, L>8, SS blocks with subcarrier spacing larger than 30 kHz(e.g., 120 kHz, 240 kHz)). Thus, in such embodiments, during a randomaccess procedure (e.g., Msg 2—random access response), a PDSCHscrambling sequence generator initialization may not be based on theslot index. In some embodiments, because part of an SS block time index(e.g., 3 LSB bits) may be determined from a PBCH-DMRS sequence index,during random access procedure (and before a UE has read PBCH in atarget cell during handover) a PDSCH scrambling sequence generatorinitialization may be based on 3 LSB bits of the SS block time index orthe PBCH-DMRS sequence index. In certain embodiments, a PDSCH scramblingsequence generator initialization may be based on a physical cellidentity, a virtual cell identity, and/or a logical cell identity.

In various embodiments, during handover a serving cell may provide an SSblock time index (or a portion—e.g., 3 LSB bits of the SS block timeindex or a PBCH-DMRS sequence index) for a target cell, and a UE mayperform random access on a RACH resource associated with the SS blocktime index. In one example, to prevent target cell PBCH reading beforetransmitting a PRACH preamble (e.g., number of SS blocks more than 8 SSblocks, L>8, SS blocks with subcarrier spacing larger than 30 kHz (e.g.,120 kHz, 240 kHz)), a UE may be enabled to perform random access on aRACH resource of any SS block with the same value of the 3 LSB bits ofthe SS block time index or the PBCH-DMRS sequence index.

In certain embodiments, during handover a serving cell may providefrequency-domain SS index in situations in which there are multiple SSblocks in frequency, as well as SS frequency specific additional timeoffsets for a target cell wideband CC.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method700 for synchronization signal block selection. In some embodiments, themethod 700 is performed by an apparatus, such as the remote unit 102. Incertain embodiments, the method 700 may be performed by a processorexecuting program code, for example, a microcontroller, amicroprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processing unit, a FPGA, orthe like.

The method 700 may include receiving 702 multiple synchronization signalblocks on a first wideband carrier. In such an embodiment, eachsynchronization signal block of the multiple synchronization signalblocks includes at least one synchronization signal and a physicalbroadcast channel. In certain embodiments, the method 700 includesdetecting 704 at least one synchronization signal block of the multiplesynchronization signal blocks. In some embodiments, the method 700includes determining 706 at least one synchronization signal frequencyassociated with the at least one detected synchronization signal block.In various embodiments, the method 700 includes selecting 708 a firstsynchronization signal block of the at least one detectedsynchronization signal block and a first synchronization signalfrequency of the at least one synchronization signal frequency. In suchembodiments, the first synchronization signal block is associated withthe first synchronization signal frequency. In certain embodiments, themethod 700 includes decoding 710 a first physical broadcast channel ofthe first synchronization signal block. In some embodiments, the method700 includes determining 712 whether to reselect the firstsynchronization signal block based on a result of decoding the firstphysical broadcast channel.

In various embodiments, multiple synchronization signal blocks arereceived on multiple synchronization signal frequencies of the firstwideband carrier. In certain embodiments, the method 700 includesperforming measurements on the at least one detected synchronizationsignal block. In some embodiments, the first synchronization signalblock is selected based on the measurements, and the measurementsinclude at least one of reference signal received power, referencesignal received quality, and reference signal signal-to-interference andnoise ratio.

In various embodiments, the method 700 includes: receiving offset valuesselected from a group including reference signal received power,reference signal received quality, and reference signalsignal-to-interference and noise ratio for the at least one detectedsynchronization signal frequency; and determining whether to reselectthe first synchronization signal block based on the measurement resultsand the offset values corresponding to the at least one detectedsynchronization signal frequency.

In certain embodiments, the method 700 includes, in response todetermining to reselect the first synchronization signal block,reselecting a second synchronization signal block of the at least onedetected synchronization signal block and a second synchronizationsignal frequency of the at least one synchronization signal frequency.In such embodiments, the second synchronization signal block isassociated with the second synchronization signal frequency. In someembodiments, determining whether to reselect the first synchronizationsignal block is based on a subcarrier spacing value indicated in thefirst physical broadcast channel. This may be useful in conditions inwhich multiple frequency bands, each of which supports a different setof subcarrier spacing values, have an overlapping spectrum and/or inconditions in which a remote unit 102 has no prior knowledge on afrequency band associated with a detected synchronization signal block.In some embodiments, a remote unit 102 may not support a certain SCS dueto a certain configured carrier aggregation combination.

In various embodiments, determining whether to reselect the firstsynchronization signal block is based on a physical downlink controlchannel configuration for remaining minimum system information indicatedin the first physical broadcast channel. In certain embodiments, themultiple synchronization signal blocks are associated with a commonphysical cell identity. In some embodiments, the multiplesynchronization signal blocks are associated with multiple physical cellidentities. In various embodiments, the multiple synchronization signalblocks are divided into multiple synchronization signal burst sets.

In certain embodiments, at least two synchronization signal burst setsof the multiple synchronization signal burst sets include separateconfigurations. In some embodiments, each configuration of the separateconfigurations includes parameters selected from a group including aburst set periodicity, a number of synchronization signal blocks persynchronization signal burst set, a transmission power, and asynchronization signal block time location within a burst set.

In various embodiments, the method 700 includes: establishing a radioresource control connection with a cell associated with the firstsynchronization signal block of the first synchronization signalfrequency of the first wideband carrier; and receiving at least onesynchronization signal block based measurement timing configuration fora second wideband carrier. In such embodiments, the at least onesynchronization signal block based measurement timing configurationincludes a measurement window periodicity, a measurement windowduration, a first measurement window offset, at least one associatedsynchronization signal frequency within the second wideband carrier, anda second measurement window offset corresponding to the at least oneassociated synchronization signal frequency.

In certain embodiments, the first wideband carrier is the same as thesecond wideband carrier. In some embodiments, the method 700 includesreceiving indication of a synchronization signal frequency specific timeoffset value with respect to a synchronization signal time location forthe first synchronization signal frequency of the first wideband carrierin the first physical broadcast channel or a physical downlink sharedchannel carrying remaining minimum system information.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method800 that may be used for synchronization signal block selection. In someembodiments, the method 800 is performed by an apparatus, such as thenetwork unit 104. In certain embodiments, the method 800 may beperformed by a processor executing program code, for example, amicrocontroller, a microprocessor, a CPU, a GPU, an auxiliary processingunit, a FPGA, or the like.

The method 800 may include transmitting 802 multiple synchronizationsignal blocks on a first wideband carrier. In such an embodiment, eachsynchronization signal block of the multiple synchronization signalblocks includes at least one synchronization signal and a physicalbroadcast channel. In certain embodiments, the method 800 includesestablishing 804 a radio resource control connection with a remote unit102. In such embodiments, the remote unit 102 may detect at least onesynchronization signal block of the multiple synchronization signalblocks; determine at least one synchronization signal frequencyassociated with the at least one detected synchronization signal block;select a first synchronization signal block of the at least one detectedsynchronization signal block and a first synchronization signalfrequency of the at least one synchronization signal frequency, whereinthe first synchronization signal block is associated with the firstsynchronization signal frequency; decode a first physical broadcastchannel of the first synchronization signal block; and determine whetherto reselect the first synchronization signal block based on a result ofdecoding the first physical broadcast channel.

In various embodiments, the multiple synchronization signal blocks aretransmitted on multiple synchronization signal frequencies of the firstwideband carrier. In some embodiments, the multiple synchronizationsignal blocks are associated with a common physical cell identity. Incertain embodiments, the multiple synchronization signal blocks areassociated with multiple physical cell identities. In variousembodiments, the multiple synchronization signal blocks are divided intomultiple synchronization signal burst sets. In some embodiments, atleast two synchronization signal burst sets of the multiplesynchronization signal burst sets include separate configurations. Incertain embodiments, each configuration of the separate configurationsincludes parameters selected from a group including a burst setperiodicity, a number of synchronization signal blocks persynchronization signal burst set, a transmission power, and asynchronization signal block time location within a burst set. Invarious embodiments, the method 800 includes transmitting at least onesynchronization signal block based measurement timing configuration fora second wideband carrier, wherein the at least one synchronizationsignal block based measurement timing configuration includes ameasurement window periodicity, a measurement window duration, a firstmeasurement window offset, at least one associated synchronizationsignal frequency within the second wideband carrier, and a secondmeasurement window offset corresponding to the at least one associatedsynchronization signal frequency. In some embodiments, the firstwideband carrier is the same as the second wideband carrier.

In some embodiments, the method 800 further includes transmitting offsetvalues selected from a group comprising reference signal received power,reference signal received quality, and reference signalsignal-to-interference and noise ratio for a synchronization signalfrequency. In such embodiments, the remote unit 102 determines whetherto reselect a synchronization signal block based on measurement resultsand the offset values corresponding to the synchronization signalfrequency. In various embodiments, the method 800 includes transmittinginformation of a synchronization signal frequency specific time offsetvalue of a synchronization signal block with respect to a referencesynchronization signal block time location for the first widebandcarrier in a physical broadcast channel of the synchronization signalblock or a physical downlink shared channel carrying remaining minimumsystem information.

In certain embodiments, a method comprises: receiving a plurality ofsynchronization signal blocks on a first wideband carrier, wherein eachsynchronization signal block of the plurality of synchronization signalblocks comprises at least one synchronization signal and a physicalbroadcast channel; detecting at least one synchronization signal blockof the plurality of synchronization signal blocks; determining at leastone synchronization signal frequency associated with the at least onedetected synchronization signal block; selecting a first synchronizationsignal block of the at least one detected synchronization signal blockand a first synchronization signal frequency of the at least onesynchronization signal frequency, wherein the first synchronizationsignal block is associated with the first synchronization signalfrequency; decoding a first physical broadcast channel of the firstsynchronization signal block; and determining whether to reselect thefirst synchronization signal block based on a result of decoding thefirst physical broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, the plurality of synchronization signal blocks isreceived on a plurality of synchronization signal frequencies of thefirst wideband carrier.

In one embodiment, a method further comprises performing measurements onthe at least one detected synchronization signal block.

In various embodiments, the first synchronization signal block isselected based on the measurements, and the measurements include atleast one of reference signal received power, reference signal receivedquality, and reference signal signal-to-interference and noise ratio.

In certain embodiments, a method further comprises: receiving offsetvalues selected from a group comprising reference signal received power,reference signal received quality, and reference signalsignal-to-interference and noise ratio for the at least one detectedsynchronization signal frequency; and determining whether to reselectthe first synchronization signal block based on the measurement resultsand the offset values corresponding to the at least one detectedsynchronization signal frequency.

In some embodiments, a method further comprises, in response todetermining to reselect the first synchronization signal block,reselecting a second synchronization signal block of the at least onedetected synchronization signal block and a second synchronizationsignal frequency of the at least one synchronization signal frequency,wherein the second synchronization signal block is associated with thesecond synchronization signal frequency.

In one embodiment, determining whether to reselect the firstsynchronization signal block is based on a subcarrier spacing valueindicated in the first physical broadcast channel.

In various embodiments, determining whether to reselect the firstsynchronization signal block is based on a physical downlink controlchannel configuration for remaining minimum system information indicatedin the first physical broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, a method further includes reselecting asynchronization signal block of the at least one detectedsynchronization signal block, and a cell associated with the reselectedsynchronization signal block has a greater number of synchronizationsignal blocks for which measurement values are above threshold valuesthan other cells associated with other synchronization signal blocks ofthe at least one synchronization signal block.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of synchronization signal blocksis associated with a common physical cell identity.

In some embodiments, the plurality of synchronization signal blocks isassociated with a plurality of physical cell identities.

In one embodiment, the plurality of synchronization signal blocks isdivided into a plurality of synchronization signal burst sets.

In various embodiments, at least two synchronization signal burst setsof the plurality of synchronization signal burst sets comprise separateconfigurations.

In certain embodiments, each configuration of the separateconfigurations comprises parameters selected from a group comprising aburst set periodicity, a number of synchronization signal blocks persynchronization signal burst set, a transmission power, and asynchronization signal block time location within a burst set.

In some embodiments, a method comprises: establishing a radio resourcecontrol connection with a cell associated with the first synchronizationsignal block of the first synchronization signal frequency of the firstwideband carrier; and receiving at least one synchronization signalblock based measurement timing configuration for a second widebandcarrier, wherein the at least one synchronization signal block basedmeasurement timing configuration comprises a measurement windowperiodicity, a measurement window duration, a first measurement windowoffset, at least one associated synchronization signal frequency withinthe second wideband carrier, and a second measurement window offsetcorresponding to the at least one associated synchronization signalfrequency.

In one embodiment, the first wideband carrier is the same as the secondwideband carrier.

In various embodiments, a method further comprises receiving informationof a synchronization signal frequency specific time offset value of asynchronization signal block with respect to a reference synchronizationsignal block time location for the first wideband carrier in a physicalbroadcast channel of the synchronization signal block or a physicaldownlink shared channel carrying remaining minimum system information.

In certain embodiments, an apparatus comprises: a receiver that receivesa plurality of synchronization signal blocks on a first widebandcarrier, wherein each synchronization signal block of the plurality ofsynchronization signal blocks comprises at least one synchronizationsignal and a physical broadcast channel; and a processor that: detectsat least one synchronization signal block of the plurality ofsynchronization signal blocks; determines at least one synchronizationsignal frequency associated with the at least one detectedsynchronization signal block; selects a first synchronization signalblock of the at least one detected synchronization signal block and afirst synchronization signal frequency of the at least onesynchronization signal frequency, wherein the first synchronizationsignal block is associated with the first synchronization signalfrequency; decodes a first physical broadcast channel of the firstsynchronization signal block; and determines whether to reselect thefirst synchronization signal block based on a result of decoding thefirst physical broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, the plurality of synchronization signal blocks isreceived on a plurality of synchronization signal frequencies of thefirst wideband carrier.

In one embodiment, the processor performs measurements on the at leastone detected synchronization signal block.

In various embodiments, the first synchronization signal block isselected based on the measurements, and the measurements include atleast one of reference signal received power, reference signal receivedquality, and reference signal signal-to-interference and noise ratio.

In certain embodiments, the receiver receives offset values selectedfrom a group comprising reference signal received power, referencesignal received quality, and reference signal signal-to-interference andnoise ratio for the at least one detected synchronization signalfrequency, and the processor determines whether to reselect the firstsynchronization signal block based on the measurement results and theoffset values corresponding to the at least one detected synchronizationsignal frequency.

In some embodiments, an apparatus further comprises, in response todetermining to reselect the first synchronization signal block, theprocessor reselecting a second synchronization signal block of the atleast one detected synchronization signal block and a secondsynchronization signal frequency of the at least one synchronizationsignal frequency, wherein the second synchronization signal block isassociated with the second synchronization signal frequency.

In one embodiment, the processor determines whether to reselect thefirst synchronization signal block based on a subcarrier spacing valueindicated in the first physical broadcast channel.

In various embodiments, the processor determines whether to reselect thefirst synchronization signal block based on a physical downlink controlchannel configuration for remaining minimum system information indicatedin the first physical broadcast channel.

In some embodiments, the processer reselects a synchronization signalblock of the at least one detected synchronization signal block, and acell associated with the reselected synchronization signal block has agreater number of synchronization signal blocks for which measurementvalues are above threshold values than other cells associated with othersynchronization signal blocks of the at least one detectedsynchronization signal block.

In certain embodiments, the plurality of synchronization signal blocksis associated with a common physical cell identity.

In some embodiments, the plurality of synchronization signal blocks isassociated with a plurality of physical cell identities.

In one embodiment, the plurality of synchronization signal blocks isdivided into a plurality of synchronization signal burst sets.

In various embodiments, at least two synchronization signal burst setsof the plurality of synchronization signal burst sets comprise separateconfigurations.

In certain embodiments, each configuration of the separateconfigurations comprises parameters selected from a group comprising aburst set periodicity, a number of synchronization signal blocks persynchronization signal burst set, a transmission power, and asynchronization signal block time location within a burst set.

In some embodiments, the processor establishes a radio resource controlconnection with a cell associated with the first synchronization signalblock of the first synchronization signal frequency of the firstwideband carrier, the receiver receives at least one synchronizationsignal block based measurement timing configuration for a secondwideband carrier, and the at least one synchronization signal blockbased measurement timing configuration comprises a measurement windowperiodicity, a measurement window duration, a first measurement windowoffset, at least one associated synchronization signal frequency withinthe second wideband carrier, and a second measurement window offsetcorresponding to the at least one associated synchronization signalfrequency.

In one embodiment, the first wideband carrier is the same as the secondwideband carrier.

In various embodiments, the receiver receives information of asynchronization signal frequency specific time offset value of asynchronization signal block with respect to a reference synchronizationsignal block time location for the first wideband carrier in a physicalbroadcast channel of the synchronization signal block or a physicaldownlink shared channel carrying remaining minimum system information.

Embodiments may be practiced in other specific forms. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

1. (canceled)
 2. A user equipment (UE), comprising: at least one memory;and at least one processor coupled with the at least one memory andconfigured to cause the UE to: receive a synchronization signal (SS)burst set of a plurality of SS burst sets, wherein the plurality of SSburst sets are within a carrier bandwidth of a cell, the same SSsequences are used for each SS burst set of the plurality of SS burstsets, and different SS frequencies are used for each SS burst set of theplurality of SS burst sets.
 3. The UE of claim 2, wherein the at leastone processor is configured to cause the UE to use only a portion offrequency parts within the carrier bandwidth of the cell at a giventime.
 4. The UE of claim 2, wherein the at least one processor isconfigured to cause the UE to use one SS burst set of the plurality ofSS burst sets at a given time.
 5. The UE of claim 2, wherein at leasttwo SS burst sets of the plurality of SS burst sets comprise differentconfigurations.
 6. The UE of claim 5, wherein the differentconfigurations comprise different periodicities.
 7. The UE of claim 2,wherein the plurality of SS burst sets comprises a first SS burst set ona first SS frequency and a second SS burst set on a second SS frequency,wherein the first SS burst set is a reference SS burst set and thesecond SS burst set has a time offset with respect to the reference SSburst set.
 8. The UE of claim 7, wherein the first SS frequency is areference SS frequency, and the at least one processor is configured tocause the UE to receive information of the time offset of the second SSfrequency with respect to the reference SS frequency.
 9. The UE of claim2, wherein the plurality of SS burst sets within the carrier bandwidthof the cell includes a SS burst set on a SS raster frequency.
 10. The UEof claim 2, wherein the plurality of SS burst sets within the carrierbandwidth of the cell includes a SS burst set being not on a SS rasterfrequency.
 11. A base station, comprising: at least one memory; and atleast one processor coupled with the at least one memory and configuredto cause the base station to: transmit a plurality of synchronizationsignal (SS) burst sets within a carrier bandwidth of a cell and with acorresponding plurality of SS burst set configurations, wherein the sameSS sequences are used for each SS burst set of the plurality of SS burstsets, and different SS frequencies are used for each SS burst set of theplurality of SS burst sets.
 12. The base station of claim 11, whereinthe at least one processor is configured to cause the base station toapply SS frequency specific time offsets.
 13. The base station of claim11, wherein at least two SS burst sets of the plurality of SS burst setscomprise different SS burst set configurations.
 14. The base station ofclaim 13, wherein the different SS burst set configurations comprisedifferent periodicities.
 15. The base station of claim 11, wherein theplurality of SS burst sets comprises a first SS burst set on a first SSfrequency and a second SS burst set on a second SS frequency, whereinthe first SS burst set is a reference SS burst set and the second SSburst set has a time offset with respect to the reference SS burst set.16. The base station of claim 15, wherein the first SS frequency is areference SS frequency, and the at least one processor is configured tocause the base station to transmit information of the time offset of thesecond SS frequency with respect to the reference SS frequency.
 17. Thebase station of claim 11, wherein the plurality of SS burst sets withinthe carrier bandwidth of the cell includes a SS burst set on a SS rasterfrequency.
 18. The base station of claim 11, wherein the plurality of SSburst sets within the carrier bandwidth of the cell includes a SS burstset being not on a SS raster frequency.
 19. A processor for wirelesscommunication, comprising: at least one controller coupled with at leastone memory and configured to cause the processor to: receive asynchronization signal (SS) burst set of a plurality of SS burst sets,wherein the plurality of SS burst sets are within a carrier bandwidth ofa cell, the same SS sequences are used for each SS burst set of theplurality of SS burst sets, and different SS frequencies are used foreach SS burst set of the plurality of SS burst sets.
 20. The processorof claim 19, wherein the plurality of SS burst sets within the carrierbandwidth of the cell includes a SS burst set on a SS raster frequency.21. A method performed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:receiving a synchronization signal (SS) burst set of a plurality of SSburst sets, wherein the plurality of SS burst sets are within a carrierbandwidth of a cell, the same SS sequences are used for each SS burstset of the plurality of SS burst sets, and different SS frequencies areused for each SS burst set of the plurality of SS burst sets.